First Scheduled Vet Appointment

We had our first scheduled vet appointment today. The dogs got their shots and a checkup exam. They are doing great, except Hope is slightly overweight.

Since my last post, the dogs have been acting more and more like puppies. They have been digging up the plants in my yard, chewing a hole in my carpet, eating my window sill, and chewing a tennis ball sized hole in one of my walls. I have been crating them more to keep them from tearing apart my house. I purchased 2 medium sized crates when I first got the dogs that are the perfect size for them, however they don't want to be in separate crates. So, I need to get a larger crate for them.

Chance's ears have also grown in. I kind of miss the odd looking ears he had. He now has ears that flop down like Hope's.

Here is a video of the puppies playing from a few weeks ago before Chance's ears grew in.

Tuesday, Day 12

We went to our 3rd vet appointment today. The vet tech and I are starting to believe that the puppies may have some Pembroke Welsh Corgi in them - especially Chance. When he is laying down and his ears are flipped up, he really looks like a Corgi.

When we met with the vet, he seemed shocked as to how well they are doing. They had both gained a little bit of weight and did not have a fever. They both still have a bit of a cough, but other than that they seem good. He prescribed another round of the 3 medicines, but expects them to be well at the end of the week.

He said that they can come out of quarantine as soon as they stop coughing. He said that there is probably only a 20% chance that they will develop the more serious neurological signs of distemper. They should be ready for their regular vaccinations next week.

The following video is of the puppies playing after we gave them a bath. There is no sound. They can get kind of wild at times. Who would have known that they were so ill last week. This video looks a little scary, but I promise they are not always this wild and that they are just playing (you can tell because they are wagging their tails the whole time).



A couple of people have told us that they look bigger in the photos than in real life. Just to give you a reference point, she is about the size of a full grown cat and weighs only 9 pounds. He is slightly larger.

Sunday, Day 10

Since the puppies are doing so much better, I do not expect to add a daily entry to this blog any more unless there is some news.

Today the puppies are doing great. Hope's breathing is not 100% better, but it is not too bad. I was able to give the dogs their medicine wrapped in cheese today instead of having to chop it up and feed it to them via syringe. The cheese way is so much easier on me and less stressful on them.

They have found their new favorite toy - crocks shoes. Luckily I was able to get it back before they chewed them up. We have to be very careful what we leave near them because everything is a toy. They enjoy getting sticks to play with from the backyard.

When they were outside today I actually saw them go into a full sprint. This was not a trot or run, but a sprint like a greyhound.

We are looking forward to being able to take them on walks once they are out of quarantine. We have been practicing in the backyard. I think they have figured out that they have to stay somewhat together, but they haven't figured out that I decide which way to go.

Saturday, Day 9

I was awakened around midnight last night to one of the dogs cough, cough, cough/gag. I realized that I had not given them their evening meds - what a bad pet parent I am. I was so tired that I stayed in bed and decided to wait to give them meds until this morning.

The puppies are so energetic now that I have to readjust to having them. Just a few days ago they would just sit around all day. Now they attack anyone who comes near them because they want to play. Giving them their morning medicine was fun. First I had to chase them down to put the syringe in their mouths. Once I got them cornered, I had to fight off the other dog who was play biting me wanting to play.

I took them outside in the backyard and decided to put a leash on them for practice. They did better than the last time, but we still have a lot of work to do if they want to go on any walks once they come out of quarantine. They enjoyed barking a bit at the neighbor's dog....

From all the research I have been doing, it seems like my dogs will never be fully free from distemper. It could come back in a week or in 5 years. I also need to worry about the virus eating away the enamel in their permanent teeth. All we can do is be happy for today.

Friday, Day 8

I was half asleep at 5am this morning when I needed to go to the bathroom. I walked like a zombie into the bathroom and was attacked by 2 crazy puppies. They were jumping all over me and wagging their tails so hard that their rear was wagging also. I guess they are feeling better. Chance has been doing the cough, cough, cough/gag thing a lot more - maybe 20 times last night. I think he is finally clearing the congestion out of his chest.

Once I woke up, I took the dogs outside and fed them. I started with some chicken. I usually have to bring the chicken to them and tell them to eat it. This time they were both jumping at me and fighting with each other to get the chicken. I also gave them food in 2 bowls. They each ate about 1/2 the food and I have seen them come back for more. Needless to say, I am very happy about their recovery.

They play with toys a little. When they are outside they play fight with each other. They will both follow me around the yard a bit if I tell them to......

I gave them a bath today. I waited 10 days past surgery as suggested by the animal shelter.

I fed them again and they are eating like crazy. I put them on a leash to take outside in the backyard to do their business since we are having a party and the gate keeps opening and closing. We need to work on walking with a leash. All they did was wrap themselves in it. As my dad says, all knots were created by dogs.

I gave them a can of dog food to split and they ate it all in about 10 minutes. Their appetite is definitely back.